Australians help with flu breakthrough

Australian scientists have helped design a new drug that could be effective against resistant strains of the flu virus.

The drug has worked in laboratory models so far, according to research published on Friday in the journal Science.

Researchers say it will be seven years before it is available to the public.

The breakthrough is the result of a global collaboration between scientists from the CSIRO, the University of British Columbia and the University of Bath.

It is hoped the drug will be effective against future strains of the flu virus.

According to the World Health Organisation, the flu kills about 500,000 people a year, with up to 2500 deaths occurring in Australia.

The scientists hope the new drug will be effective as a first line of defence during any future epidemic or pandemic.

CSIRO scientist Dr Jenny McKimm-Breschkin, a member of the team that developed Relenza, the original flu drug, says understanding exactly how flu viruses become resistant to drugs has helped in the design of a better flu drug.

CSIRO researchers have shown viruses continually mutate and some have become resistant to available treatments, Dr McKimm-Breschkin said on Friday.

Professor Steve Withers, the leader of the research team for the past seven years, said that although further studies were required to determine efficacy against a broader range of flu strains, the findings were "extremely positive".

Despite recent improvements in vaccine production, when a new strain of flu emerges it can take several months before vaccines are available to the public, said Prof Withers of the University of British Columbia.